England new boy Richard Dawson "The standard of cricket will be another step up" real 14kFormer England captain Graham Gooch "James Foster is one for the future" real 14kEngland new boy James Foster "I've just been trying to take it all in" real 56kChairman of selectors David Graveney "It's been a difficult situation to resolve" real 56kFormer England batsman Chris Broad "Obviously England have taken a backward step this summer" real 56k

Yorkshire's 21-year-old spinner Richard Dawson and Essex's James Foster have both been called into England's 16-man Test squad to tour India and New Zealand this winter.

But the selectors have taken the hard-line decision not to consider either Alec Stewart or Darren Gough because they are unwilling to tour India before Christmas - raising doubts about Stewart's international future.

Foster is included in the one-day squad to tour Zimbabwe together with two other newcomers, James Kirtley of Sussex and Jeremy Snape of Gloucestershire.

There is also a recall to the senior squad for Lancashire wicket-keeper Warren Hegg.

Dawson has played a key role in Yorkshire's Championship-winning side

David GraveneyChairman of selectors

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "Foster peformed well on the A side's tour of the Caribbean last winter and is an outstanding prospect who is also being fast-tracked by Essex to be a viable wicket-keeper batsman at the highest level.

"Ashley Giles has been included in the Test squad subject to him satisfying the selectors of his fitness ahead of the tour departure and he will be one of three spinners together with Robert Croft and Richard Dawson.

"Dawson has played a key role in Yorkshire's Championship-winning side this summer and we are excited by his potential."

The inclusion of Giles is something of a surprise, as the Warwickshire man was thought to have ruled himself out following an operation on his Achilles.

Matthew Hoggard has also been out of action recently, while Jeremy Snape informed Graveney this morning that he also has a leg in plaster after suffering an ankle knock playing for Gloucestershire against Kent on Monday.

"We are confident Ashley will be fit," said Graveney.

"The operation wasn't as serious as first thought and he is ahead of
schedule.

India is as difficult a place to go as anywhere in the world

David Graveney

"We will review the selection at the end of the India Test series and may make alterations to the squad to account for the different conditions we will face in New Zealand.

"With regard to the Zimbabwe ODI series, the selectors intend to use this squad to explore various options. There are a number of senior players who have been omitted but they will remain part of the thinking for the next World Cup.

"The selectors will then review the performance of the Zimbabwe ODI squad before naming the party to go to India/New Zealand."

Graveney said he expected India to provide a test equal to any other cricketing nation.

"I think India is as difficult a place to go as anywhere in the world," he said.

"The Indians have played a number of series in the past 18 months and there has been an absence of Tendulkar, Kumble and Srinath in their team. I would be very surprised if they didn't reappear when England are in India.

"They are a tough side to play against but it will be a great experience for them to play there. I would be surprised if spin bowling isn't a crucial factor in this tour."